It's International Podcast Day & Orange Shirt Day

 I subscribe to three Old Time Radio podcasts through iTunes.  Denny and I really enjoy listening to the old radio shows, even though they were before our time.  Amanda and her kids listen to some GenZ media podcasts.  Do you have a favorite podcast to recommend?

Today is also the day the first episode of Murder She Wrote aired in 1984.  That's one of our all-time favorite shows.  We also enjoy reading the books written by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain.  (Yes, they are real books.)

Since Jessica's show is all about murder, it seems appropriate that today is also Orange Shirt Day.

It's National Broadway Musicals Day & National Coffee Day & National Mocha Day

 If you like musicals, today's celebration is for you.  This is the day to randomly break out in song.  Disney has some nice songs in many of their movies, like Mary Poppins.  Have you ever seen Seven Brides for Seven Brothers?  There are some great songs in that movie.  Some other good ones are Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, and, of course, Oliver.  Holiday Inn and White Christmas have nice songs and great stories.  I could go on and on but I'll stop.  What's your favorite musical?

Settle back with some coffee or cocoa and sing along with your favorite musical.

Happy Family Day

It's Family Day.  Celebrate with your family today.

Denny and I are at Massanutten Resort.  Amanda and her children are here for overnight so we'll celebrate being together.  I'm also thinking of my other children and extended family.  Wishing all a blessed day.

It's Ancestor Appreciation Day

 Where would you be without your ancestors?  Nowhere!  

Share a story about one of your ancestors.  I have a pin of crossed swords over a saddle.  I was told it belonged to one of my ancestors who was in the Cavalry.  What do you know of your lineage?

Psalm 22:4  In You our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and You delivered them.

It's also Gwyneth Paltrow's birthday.  Celebrate by watching one of her movies.  Here are a few to choose from:

Hook (she played young Wendy)

Shallow Hal

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

Emma

Shakespeare in Love

Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and Iron Man 3

Spiderman: Homecoming

The Avengers, Avengers Infinity War, and Avengers Endgame

It's National Pancake Day & Family Health and Fitness Day USA

 Can you celebrate National Pancake Day and National Better Breakfast Day at the same time?  How about having pancakes for dinner to allow better (healthier) choices for breakfast?

It's Family Health and Fitness Day USA and it's Serena Williams' birthday.  Play a little tennis to celebrate.

Celebrate Binge Day

 There are some great days to celebrate today!  

It's Binge Day, in case there's a show you haven't binge watched this year.

It's also National Bakery Day.

I want to visit the Bakery then binge eat pastries while I binge watch Star Trek: TNG!

It also National Quesadilla Day; we can eat quesadillas for dinner while we binge watch Superman movies.  (It's also Christopher Reeve's birthday.)

Celebrate World Dream Day when you take a nap after binge eating and binge watching all morning.

If you have energy after your nap, you can celebrate National Cooking Day by getting ready for Quesadilla Day.

Now I have the song Food Glorious Food (from Oliver!) going through my head.

It's Read a New Book Month

 It isn't too late to read a new book this month.  I subscribe to several daily book newsletters that list free books.  Here are links to places I find free and discounted e-books.

https://christianbookfinds.com/

http://bargainebookhunter.com/

https://www.thefussylibrarian.com/

It's also Jim Henson's birthday.  Watch a little Kermit today.

It's National Dogs in Politics Day & National Checkers Day

 Dogs play an important part in many of our lives.  When a President and his family moves into the White House, their pets come too. (FYI, President Trump has no pets.)  The first White House dog who caught the attending of newspapers was President Harding's dog, Laddie (an Airedale).  FDR had a Scottish Terrier named Fala.  President Nixon's dog Checkers turned the tide of Nixon's claim to VP on the ticket in 1952.  If you want to learn more about dogs in the White House and see their pictures, check out the Dogs of the White House post by spokesman.com

Speaking of Checkers, that's the game of the day.  Be king for a day if you can.

The picture is a statue of FDR & Fala that's in the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.

It's The First Day of Fall & National Ice Cream Cone Day & National Hobbit Day

 Celebrate the first day of Fall by having an ice cream cone.  It can be your second breakfast.  Hobbits everywhere would approve.  Speaking of hobbits, they will be wearing something to keep their furry feet warm and enjoying their fireplaces as Fall sets in.  But don't eat your ice cream cone by the fire, the two don't mix well.

Dream of adventures, like Bilbo Baggins did, as you think of National Elephant Appreciation Day & World Chubby Unicorn Day - I mean World Rhino Day.

It's also National Voter Registration Day.  It's very easy to register to vote and an election is fast approaching, so don't delay if you aren't already registered.  Absentee ballots are available (at least they are in North Carolina).  I appreciate that you don't have to have a reason to request an absentee ballot in my state.

It's World Gratitude Day & Pause the World Day

Gratitude, appreciation, thankfulness - just thinking these words is calming.  Close your eyes and breathe.

World Gratitude Day goes hand-in-hand with Pause the World Day.  Not pause the world, I want to get off.  Pause the world and take a break from stress, pause and do something to relax.  Here are some suggestions from checkiday.

Sit with a cup of tea or coffee (it's also National Chai Day)

Get out in nature - listen to the sounds of the birds, trees, and animals (or use YouTube)

Take the day off

Don't check your phone all day

Don't respond to any emails or return any messages (probably should take the day off)

Practice yoga

Meditate (on the Word of God that gives peace)

Have a picnic or go out for dinner

Exercise

Take a long bath or sit in a hot tub

Watch a funny movie or listen to your favorite music

H.G. Wells was born on this date some years back.  Enjoy some sci-fi today while you relax - but not the scary stressful kind.

It's also Miniature Golf Day but I don't consider that relaxing so we'll talk about it another day.

Philippians 4:8  Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

It's National Wife Appreciation Day & National Pepperoni Pizza Day & National Fried Rice Day

 If you're a wise husband, you appreciate your wife every day.  You can show your appreciation today by taking care of dinner for her.  Today's celebrations provide dinner choices too.

Well, I should have looked ahead!  We had pepperoni pizza Friday and stir fry Saturday.  I was cold yesterday so Denny is making chili today.

It's also National String Cheese Day so I'll have to eat string cheese with my chili tonight.

Proverbs 18:22  He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

It's International Eat an Apple Day & National Dance Day

 Do you like apples?  My favorite apple is Gala because it's softer.  i don't like crisp crunchy apples.

What's your favorite kind of apple?  Do you like them crisp or softer?  Do you like them in pie or blended into applesauce?  Or is it that someone who is the apple of your eye?  How about those apple i-things?

Whichever kind of apple you like, enjoy it today and celebrate National Dance Day.  Do a little jig to a tune played on an Apple device.  Dance with the apple of your eye.  Do a juggling dance with apples, then make applesauce with them.

It's also International Talk Like a Pirate Day.  I read online that Long John Silvers is offering a free piece of fish to anyone who talks like a pirate when ordering or a free 2 piece basket of fish to anyone who dresses like a pirate.  You might want to check with your local Long John Silvers ahead of time unless you're just feeling piratey today.  Harrr. 

Even though Free Queso Day was earlier this week, I read that Moe's Southwest Grill is celebrating Free Queso Day today.  Again, verify that before you order.

It's International Read an eBook Day & World Bamboo Day & National Cheeseburger Day

 I like to read.  Back in the day, when we would go on vacation, we'd have a box of toys for the kids and a box of books.  You never know what you'll feel like reading so I had to take a variety.  Then, several years ago, I discovered the Kindle.  How lovely to have all my books at my beck and call whenever I want and to have them automatically open where I stopped reading.  No more frustration from accidentally pulling out the bookmark.  I loved my Paperwhite Kindle but it was mute so I bought a Kindle Fire so it can read books to me.  Matthew prefers to hold the real book when he reads but I've discovered I'm fine with swiping the screen to "turn the page" and holding my Kindle instead of a heavy book.  I've even caught myself swiping a page when I have a physical book.  Anyone else?  Do you enjoy reading?  Do you prefer the physical page or eBooks?

Another thing I purchased several years ago is a bamboo sheet set.  It was pricey but they are the softest sheets and pillow cases I have ever slept on.  If you can afford them, I think they're worth the money.  They do wrinkle like crazy (at least mine do) but I'm ok with that.

Denny is so excited that National Cheeseburger Day falls on his birthday.  Have a cheeseburger to help him celebrate today.

It's Constitution Day and Citizenship Day & Free Queso Day

 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day commemorates the signing of the Constitution on this day in 1787.  Here are some helpful links.

RocketLawyer has an interesting list of 10 facts you may not know about the U.S. Constitution.

Amazon has an e-book, The Signers of the Declaration of Independence, free for Kindles.  The Constitution is also in the book.

Flanders Family Homelife has free printables of the Declaration of Independence, the preamble to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Call your favorite Mexican restaurant to see if they are offering free queso to celebrate Free Queso Day today.  The only deal I saw online was at Moe's and I read two different offers so be sure to ask before you order.

Philippians 3:20  But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Celebrate Working Parents Day & National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day & National Guacamole Day

 As a parent who was a stay-at-home mom for eighteen years, I know that every parent is a working parent.  We don't all get paid money for the work we do but it's our job.  I used to tell my kids that school was their job.  Good parents are working themselves out of that job but the heart part remains in us until we die.  

I especially want to recognize single parents.  They have two full-time jobs and the tug-of-war is stressful.  Parenting is the hardest job you will ever do and I salute all parents who are trying their best to raise responsible adults.  May God forgive us our wrong choices and mistakes and bless our intentions.

3 John 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

(This picture is from 2017 - Abbie, Caleb, Leah, & Aaron)

It's National Double Cheeseburger Day & National Online Learning Day

There are lots of food choices today.

Celebrate National Cheese Toast Day for breakfast, National Double Cheeseburger Day for lunch and National Linguine Day for dinner.  That makes meal choices easier.

It's also Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Day but I've never heard of that kind of pie so you're on your own with that one.

Hopefully, we are all getting better at online learning.  It doesn't look like things will go back to normal this year.  Maybe the next school year will be back to the old way.

Celebrate Agatha Christie's birthday by reading one of her books or watching a movie that was made from one of her books.

After that, if you're still looking for something to do, it's also Make a Hat Day and International Dot Day.

It's National Quiet Day & National Coloring Day

 Shhh, it's National Quiet Day.  I feel like I have to whisper now.

Coloring has become popular with adults and it's a quiet, peaceful pastime.

Food choices for today:  National Cream-Filled Donut Day and Eat a Hoagie Day.  Easy no fuss food.

I hope you have a quiet and peaceful day.

1 Thessalonians 4:11a ...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.

Happy National Grandparents Day & Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day

 Celebrate family today - young and old.

Proverbs 17:6  Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

When we were on vacation this year, Amanda organized a dinner mystery evening for us.  Aubrey was the cook (serving Amanda's lasagna)  and Leah was the maid, making sure we stayed hydrated as we tried to figure out "who done it."  Here are the girls busy at work.  It was great fun.  Thanks, Amanda.

Celebrate National Day of Encouragement & Aunts Day

 Let me encourage you to find someone to encourage today - maybe your aunt! 

Send a greeting to your aunt letting her know you're thinking of her today, on Aunts Day.  Aunts are special people.  I hope I remember to do this for My Aunt Joyce!

1 Thessalonians 5:11  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

It's Remember Freedom Day & National Emergency Responders Day & Patriot Day

 Psalm 20:1  May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the Name of the God of Jacob protect you.

I, for one, am glad the police department was not defunded.  I appreciate those who put their lives on the line every day to try to keep us safe, all the emergency responders.  Destruction is not the answer to routing out wrong.

I think this picture I saw on Facebook says it all.  Sorry, I don't know who the originator is to give them credit.

It's National Swap Ideas Day & National Hot Dog Day

 Happy National Swap Ideas Day.  My idea is below; I found it on Pinterest.  What's your idea to swap?  Please share.

Also, enjoy National Hot Dog Day.  Swap out the bready hot dog bun and try this great Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket recipe from The Typical Mom.  I rarely read the article with the recipes but this one was worth reading.  She gives lots of good tips in making this recipe.

Not all ideas are good or correct or worthwhile.  Use wisdom in what you listen to and believe.

1 Timothy 6:20  Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.  Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.

It's Happy Cat Month & International Sudoku Day

 Allow me a little leeway in celebrating Happy Cat Month.  The picture is of my sweet daughter-in-law, Cat.

I'm not a cat but doing Sudoku puzzles does make me happy. How about you?  Do you like puzzles?  Jigsaw puzzles or word puzzles, number puzzles or brain teasers of another kind?

Celebrate the accomplishments of these people who were born on September 9th.

Hugh Grant

Leo Tolstoy

Colonel Sanders

Otis Redding

Spend some time today watching a Hugh Grant movie or reading a book by Tolstoy.  Then get some food from KFC and eat it while sittin' On the Dock of the Bay (or just sing the song).

It's Telephone Tuesday & National Actors Day & Star Trek Day

Telephone Tuesday refers to the increased number of calls businesses usually receive the day after Labor Day.  I have to admit, we have a couple phone calls to make that were on hold because of the holiday weekend.

Everywhere you go heads are down with fingers flying on cell phone screens.  I don't see how people can spend any MORE time on their phones.  How about we see how little we can use our phones today?  Can we go a day without touching our phone?  An hour?  Five minutes?

Ecclesiastes 5:7  Much dreaming and many words are meaningless.  Therefore fear God.

Let's celebrate National Actors Day by watching some old or current favorites to help us stay off our phones.  So, who and what will you be watching?

Explore strange new worlds and seek out new civilizations.  Enjoy some Kirk, Picard, and Archer today to celebrate Star Trek Day.  Those are captains in the original Star Trek, Star Trek Next Generation, and Star Trek Enterprise.  Branch out into DS9 and Voyager too.  I think I'll engage in some TNG.

Happy Labor Day & Grandma Moses Day

 In this time of testing, those of us who have a job need to be thankful because many jobs have been lost due to pandemic-related closings.

Proverbs 16:26  The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.

It's Grandma Moses Day, an example of someone who never ceased from labor.  I am unclear why NY Governor Nelson Rockefeller created Grandma Moses Day on her 100th birthday.  (She lived to be 101.)  Mrs. Moses started painting in her 50's but really focused on painting in her mid-70's when she could no longer do needlework.  In 1938, a collector bought all of her finished paintings and they were displayed the following year at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.  Grandma Moses was "born."  She painted almost 1500 paintings before her death in 1961.  She is quoted as saying, "Painting's not important.  The important thing is keeping busy."  She would want us to remember that it's never too late to start something new, learn something, do something.

Celebrate Google Commemoration Day, Google's birthday, by searching for paintings by Grandma Moses.  Google.com is the most visited website in the world.  I know all my Web searches start there.

The picture is of a painting, Country Fair, by Grandma Moses.

It's Read a Book Day & Great Egg Toss Day

 I do a lot of reading, or rather my Kindle reads books to me.  My favorite genre is cozy mysteries.  One of my favorite series is The Cat Who books.  Cynthia Martinez, a co-worker & friend, introduced me to these books a long time ago and I'm so glad she did.

For a different diversion when you're tired of reading, find someone to play Egg Toss with you.  You can toss an egg back and forth, taking a step back each time or see who can toss an egg the farthest.  Although, I have to say this is a very messy game and a waste of good food.  Maybe, go back to reading.

What are some of your favorite books and authors?

John 21:25  Jesus did many other things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

It's National Hummingbird Day & National Cheese Pizza Day, Plus More

 My friend, Chrissy, has a love for animals and nature.  One of her joys is to have a hummingbird feeder and watch the antics of these amazing tiny creatures.  Celebrate National Hummingbird Day by learning some Fun Facts About Hummingbirds on Kaytee's webpage.  Then go over to Popular Mechanics (yes, really) and check out 16 Ways Hummingbirds Continually Amaze Us.  Did you know the normal temperature of a hummingbird is 105 degrees?

Matthew 6:26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?

Speaking of feeding, I wish I had taken a picture of the cheese pizza we bought from Boulevard Pizza in Wendell, NC on Wednesday.  We love their pizza and subs.  If you're in the area, check them out and celebrate National Cheese Pizza Day with them.

You can put bacon on your pizza but I'd rather have crisp bacon on my cheeseburger or on a biscuit with cheese.  Celebrate International Bacon Day and Franchise Appreciation Day by getting bacon on a breakfast sandwich at a fast food franchise, like McDonald's or Bojangles, or get a bacon cheeseburger later in the day at a restaurant franchise, like Red Robin or Chili's.

While we're talking about McDonald's, did you know they maintain a charity to help provide families temporary lodging near hospitals - Ronald McDonald Houses?  Celebrate International Day of Charity by giving to a non-profit that is close to your heart.  There are lots to choose from.

It's National Wildlife Day & Wear Teal Day & so much more

There are so many options to celebrate today!

It's Wear Teal Day but it's also College Colors Day.  You or your parents paid a lot of money for that college degree.  Proudly wear your college colors today; they cost enough!

Before we celebrate Eat an Extra Dessert Day, participate in National Food Bank Day by donating food to your local food bank to help those struggling to make ends meet right now.

It's also Bring Your Manners to Work Day.  I need to focus on this one because I don't want to be back in the office.

Take a ride in the country and celebrate National Wildlife Day.  Did you know there's a Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, NC?  They also have a Facebook group you can join.

Mark 1:13  and Jesus was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.  He was with the wild animals, and angels attended Him.

Here are a few other things that happened on this day.

In 2002, Kelly Clarkson became the first American Idol winner.

Google was founded in 1998.

It's National Skyscraper Day

 I love the Raleigh skyline.  It's not overwhelming, with just enough tall buildings.

I've never lived in the city, but I've lived near cities with tall buildings.  Honestly, being surrounded by buildings makes me feel claustrophobic.  

When I think of skyscrapers, I think of the opening scene in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  Did you know there's a bronze status depicting Mary tossing her hat in the air at the corner of Nicollet Mall and 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis?

Here are some shows that took place in cities, submitted for your viewing pleasure.  Watch for tall buildings.

I Love Lucy (1951-1957), starring Lucille Ball, took place in New York City

That Girl (1966-1971), starring Marlo Thomas, also took place in New York City

The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977), starring MTM, took place in Minneapolis

Rhoda (MTM spinoff #1) (1974-1978), starring Valerie Harper, again in New York City

Phyllis (MTM spinoff #2) (1975-1977), starring Cloris Leachman, took place in San Francisco

Lou Grant (MTM spinoff #3) (1977-1982), starring Ed Asner, took place in Los Angeles

Lois and Clark took place in Metropolis, a stereotype of any city with tall buildings

Spiderman also took place in New York City

Here is a picture of the Raleigh skyline.

And here's a picture of The Mary Tyler Moore Show statue.

Celebrate World Coconut Day & Calendar Adjustment Day

 I bought a coconut cream pie to celebrate World Coconut Day.  It's one of Denny's favorite pie flavors.  Once when Rebecca and her hubby, Palu, visited, Palu made us several Polynesian dishes native to his homeland, Tonga.  Many were made with coconut milk and they were so rich and yummy.  

Coconut is a good source of B-complex vitamins and several minerals.  Coconut is in lotions and cooking oil and salves.  It's good for you, inside and out.

I don't think they are referring to coconut milk but...

Numbers 14:8  If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.

Fun coconut fact 1:  Coconuts can be used as a flotation device.  I guess that's because they're pretty hollow but I wouldn't want to be at sea with only a little coconut to keep me afloat.

Fun coconut fact 2:  Coconut milk is non-dairy.

Visit The Spruce Eats for 30 Delicious Recipes to Make with a Can of Coconut Milk.

Moving on to some other little known facts or at least something else to think about, Great Britain passed the British Calendar Act in 1851.  They switched from using the Julian Calendar to using the Gregorian Calendar.  When they changed, they lost eleven days - days, not hours!  They went to sleep on September 1st and when they woke up the next morning, it was September 14th.  And we complain about losing an hour for Daylight Savings Time!  This calendar change also changed New Year's Day from March 25th to January 1st.  Why would the new year start in the middle of a month anyway?  And I thought I had a hard time keeping up with what day it is this year.  That year had a lot of adjustments too.

Happy American Chess Day & World Letter Writing Day

Both of today's celebrations are things that take time and thought.

Chess is not an easy game to learn.  Matthew used to like to play chess; my dad did too.  Personally, I prefer more mindless games you can chat through.

The other timely celebration is letter writing.  How exciting it was to receive a letter in the mail.  Sadly, it's a lost art nowadays.

If you aren't interested in either of these activities, do something else that causes you to slow down and be mindful about what you're doing.

I want to kick off a new month by celebrating National Mortgage Professional Month.  We are so thankful that Dan has a job he enjoys with a company he likes in this venue.  Staci and Dan are both in the banking profession area of helping people get the houses and luxuries they want.  It's not easy to work with the public, us, and it's difficult to understand the law too.  I appreciate the assistance and knowledge of those who help us make our dreams a reality.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.